Coco Gauff reveals details of car accident after reaching French Open second round

Coco Gauff has revealed she was involved in a car accident on her way to the French Open before safely reaching the second round at Roland Garros on Tuesday.

The defending champion overcame fellow American Taylor Townsend in straight sets despite a chaotic build-up to the match after the vehicle transporting her to the tournament was damaged in a collision.

Gauff eventually brushed aside Townsend 6-4, 6-0 in Paris to book a second-round clash against Egypt’s Mayar Sherif.

But afterwards, the world No 2 admitted her journey to Roland Garros had taken an unexpected turn after a crash left her original car unusable.

“So, we kind of got in a mini car accident on our way to the site today,” Gauff explained during an interview with TNT Sports USA.

According to the 22-year-old, confusion involving traffic instructions and a roadside obstruction led to the collision.

“There was like this whole thing and it's supposed to go down, and the police told him to go, but the pole was still there,” she said.

“So we ran into it, and you felt the impact.”

Gauff joked that one of her main concerns immediately after the incident involved her drink spilling inside the vehicle.

“I spilled my juice all over the car,” she laughed.

Initially, the American hoped the journey could continue before realising the damage was more serious.

“I was like, ‘We can keep going,’” she added. “Then I walk out the car and it was not drivable.”

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The reigning US Open champion eventually arrived at Roland Garros using alternative transport after quickly abandoning the damaged vehicle.

“We ended up taking a taxi and then a tournament car to the tournament,” Gauff revealed.

Despite the disruption, Gauff suggested the bizarre incident may have actually helped settle her nerves before stepping onto court.

“I feel like it's a good omen, maybe?” she said.

“Everything is happening in the first round.”

The American later admitted the unexpected drama helped take her focus away from pre-match pressure.

“Eventful day,” Gauff said. “Whenever it happens, it lets you not think about the match too much.

“Just that I'm happy to be there in one piece.”

Once on court, Gauff looked completely unaffected by the chaotic start to her day as she dominated Townsend in just 79 minutes.

The victory was particularly notable given Gauff had previously lost her only earlier meeting against her compatriot.

The former French Open finalist also believes the soaring temperatures in Paris could play to her advantage over the coming weeks.

Conditions at Roland Garros have been extremely hot during the opening rounds, though Gauff feels her upbringing in Florida has helped prepare her well.

“When I saw it was going to be hot, I definitely think it's something I do well in,” she said.

“I can thrive in it a bit because of growing up in Florida.”

Gauff also explained she intentionally trains during the hottest periods of the day in order to prepare for physically demanding conditions at Grand Slam tournaments.

“I know some people try to practice early,” she said. “But I try to sometimes practice in the prime of the day, even if it's shorter, just to get used to it because you never know.”